DeSantis-Appointed Board Seeking to Destroy Reedy Creek Land Deals

It has been more than a year since The Walt Disney Company and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis began battling. Disney CEO spoke out against Florida’s controversial Parental Rights in Education bill. The controversial governor didn’t take kindly to that. He signed the bill into law and then worked to punish Disney for speaking out. DeSantis and the Florida legislature quickly worked to dissolve Reedy Creek — the board that governs Walt Disney World. DeSantis then hand-picked a new board to oversee governing the massive theme park Resort.

It looked like DeSantis had come out on top in his fight against the House of Mouse. However, in March 2023, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight Committee (new Reedy Creek board) discovered that Disney and its lawyers weren’t lying down and taking the loss. A clause had been added to the bill dissolving the Reedy Creek Improvement District. The clause said that The Walt Disney Company would have the final say over what happened in the area until 21 years after the death of the youngest living descendant of King Charles III.

Needless to say, the new board and Governor DeSantis didn’t take too kindly to being outsmarted. The bill was approved by the state legislature and signed by the governor without the clause coming up. That indicates that the legislature didn’t actually read it before approving it. DeSantis said that he was launching an investigation into the clause. The board said it was preparing to sue Disney. Things were just getting started.

Now, we have a big update. On April 19, The Central Florida Tourism District board will meet. At the meeting, they will introduce Resolution 639. The Resolution will allow the board near-total control over the area. The board wants “superior authority”, which means that Disney will have no say. News of the proposed Resolution, as well as its wording, was shared by Spectrum News reporter Ashley Carter.

The next chapter in the DeSantis vs Disney (Reedy Creek) saga:

The Central Florida Tourism District plans to meet April 19 and introduce “Resolution No. 639,” according to a public notice. The district is seeking to amend the Reedy Creek Land Development Regulations.

The notice mentions Article 6, Chapter 6-90 and Article 7, Chapter 7-20 and Chapter 7-30 of the RCID land development regulations. Those outline process for amending the regulations, responsibilities of the board of supervisors for planning and development and the planning board.

The notice mentions Article 6, Chapter 6-90 and Article 7, Chapter 7-20 and Chapter 7-30 of the RCID land development regulations. Those outline process for amending the regulations, responsibilities of the board of supervisors for planning and development and the planning board. pic.twitter.com/z7QTagOSA0

— Ashley Carter (@AshleyLCarter1) April 11, 2023

At this time, we don’t know how the Resolution — if passed — will be able to undo the bill that was already signed into law by the state. Governor DeSantis has said that he will win every fight he has against Disney. He didn’t say how he would do it, but it now looks like we are getting a glimpse of what is to come. DeSantis is just getting started.

Disney has not yet commented on this new Resolution. However, it didn’t take DeSantis’ attacks lying down the first time. So, it is unlikely that they won’t fight this is the smartest, and most legal, way possible.